JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, Calif – On Sunday, January 29 at about 11:00 a.m., Colin Campbell (age 26 of Burbank) was rock climbing in the area known as Jumbo Rocks. While climbing, Campbell fell approximately 30 feet to the ground below. Witnesses called 911 and reported the incident to the San Bernardino County Sheriff.

San Bernardino County Fire Department personnel responded and hiked into the location. They found Campbell was suffering from serious injuries and determined he would need to be hoist rescued and flown to the nearest trauma center. The location was several hundred yards from the nearest road in steep and rocky terrain. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Air Rescue Helicopter 07 was requested to assist.

The crew of Sheriff’s Air Rescue Helicopter 07 arrived and performed the hoist rescue. Sheriff’s Corporal Michael Gilley and Deputy Gordon Yee hovered over the location as Deputy Steve Miller lowered Flight Nurse Kenney Lard approximately 100 feet down into the location. Campbell was secured into a basket and hoisted into the helicopter, followed by Flight Nurse Lard. Once in the helicopter, Flight Nurse Deputy Melanie Munns began treating Campbell. The crew flew Campbell to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment.